Magnetic Fluid Shocks

[TheJDMan]

I know these Magnetic Fluid shocks are used by the military on Hummers and on Corvettes and I understand they will be on the new ZL1 Camaros. I'm wondering if anyone is doing any testing to make this technology available to the aftermarket. From what I have read these MF shocks will make conventional shock technology obsolete.

[dontlifttoshift]

I saw some of the fluid in a jar on a shop tour of an aftermarket supplier. Basically it is stupid expensive and it takes a really complicated computer program for it to be effective.
Based on the information given to me it would be highly unlikely that the technology would be available to us anytime soon.

[monteboy84]

From what I have read these MF shocks will make conventional shock technology obsolete.

Marketing hype. Brilliant system, but there's a cost associated with that, and as mentioned, a complicated computer system is required to make it work right. Part of hot-rodding will always be simplicity, so I don't see conventional shocks going to the way-side as a result of this particular technology.

-matt

[Keith]

I believe that they are finding their way onto many cars nowdays. Most of the high-end cars have them. The "complicated computer" may be true to tap into their full potential as a constantly modified dampener (tied into a cars stability control etc.), but we may see some "dumbed" down version in the not-to-diatant future. Basically it is just an electric charge that changes the viscosity of the magnetic fluid. The OEM's system changes constantly based on feedback to the computer. A simple consumer system could be controlled by a switch ranging from soft to firm.

[formula]

I believe that they are finding their way onto many cars nowdays. Most of the high-end cars have them. The "complicated computer" may be true to tap into their full potential as a constantly modified dampener (tied into a cars stability control etc.), but we may see some "dumbed" down version in the not-to-diatant future. Basically it is just an electric charge that changes the viscosity of the magnetic fluid. The OEM's system changes constantly based on feedback to the computer. A simple consumer system could be controlled by a switch ranging from soft to firm.

Bingo, we have a winner. This will be how they end up in the aftermarket--in the form of the ability to adjust shock "damping" by changing fluid viscosity over a set range from inside the car.

[TheJDMan]

"Complicated Computers" is a term that could also be applied to "Engine Control Modules" but I don't see ECMs slowing down the aftermarket. IMO, it is just a matter of time before these show up in the aftermarket as full on active suspension systems.

[marolf101x]

You mean this stuff? (there is a magnet under the plate, causing the metal particles in the fluid to group around the magnetic field lines)


You will likely not see this in the Aftermarket any time soon, though there are people working on it.
At this moment the cost is too prohibitive. Not only is the fluid expensive, but any part the fluid touches has to be specially treated so the minuscule iron particles in the fluid don't eat the shock from the inside out.

As far as computer controls, look at EFI. Not long ago you couldn't do much to the stock ECU. Now the Aftermarket has self learning systems. Hardware is no problem, it's the software that makes all the cool stuff happen, but is also what takes the longest to develop at the greatest cost.

Our Select Series shocks (http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspen...ing-shock.html) were the predecessor to the MR beasts you find on high-end cars today. They change shock stiffness by routing oil through a soft valve stack or a firm valve stack, instead of changing the fluid viscosity. These have been offered by the OE manufactures in "soft/firm" push button style as well as full computer controlled units that adjusted on the fly.

[TheJDMan]

Look what I found, this company is currently offering Magnetic Fluid Shocks for all sorts of automotive applications. I'm a little surprised the ridetech guys have not jumped all over this technology.

http://www.magneshock.com/

http://www.magneshock.com/Documents/...ace2-10-11.pdf

[UMI Tech]

I was just going to mention Carrera, now a part of QA1, had these 10 years ago for oval track use.

Ramey

[Yelcamino]

Look what I found, this company is currently offering Magnetic Fluid Shocks for all sorts of automotive applications. I'm a little surprised the ridetech guys have not jumped all over this technology.

http://www.magneshock.com/

http://www.magneshock.com/Documents/...ace2-10-11.pdf

Holy shock Batman!!! Cool technology, but a bit outside my funding ability.

3rd Gen; Basic System with FOUR (4) Std. Shocks, Controller, Programmer, all cables, 2-position (w/cable) & 5-position Remote Switches - $7675.00.

[MyFriendScott]

In 3-5 years, my shoes will have MF shock absorbers, controlled by my iPod.

[exwestracer]

I was just going to mention Carrera, now a part of QA1, had these 10 years ago for oval track use.

Ramey

Longer than that, bud. It just didn't go PUBLIC for a while...

[exwestracer]

You mean this stuff? (there is a magnet under the plate, causing the metal particles in the fluid to group around the magnetic field lines)

Big deal... I can get this stuff out of my oil pan anytime I want... Wait, IS THAT A BAD THING????

[Kenny]

Probably the most cost effective thing to do right now is use the GM control unit and adapt Corvette or CTS-V shocks. They have been around long enough to find on Ebay or salvage yard for a reasonable cost. I am hoping to snag the brain and shocks off an Escalade platinum for the AWD S-10 blazer project. There has got to be a way to manipulate the algorithms. It might get interesting using the ABS to help with turn-in etc..... Just to throw in a new level of complication, would it be possible to use small cylinders for sway bar links that would more or less free float until activated by yaw sensor/ steering input? Digressive rate swaybars? That would be a smooth ride. Sick!

[exwestracer]

Probably the most cost effective thing to do right now is use the GM control unit and adapt Corvette or CTS-V shocks. They have been around long enough to find on Ebay or salvage yard for a reasonable cost. I am hoping to snag the brain and shocks off an Escalade platinum for the AWD S-10 blazer project. There has got to be a way to manipulate the algorithms. It might get interesting using the ABS to help with turn-in etc..... Just to throw in a new level of complication, would it be possible to use small cylinders for sway bar links that would more or less free float until activated by yaw sensor/ steering input? Digressive rate swaybars? That would be a smooth ride. Sick!

Also already out there, Kenny. There are circle track and road racing suppliers that build those hyd. bar links. I'll see if I can find the info. As far as I know, they use a simple needle valve to regulate flow.

[SLO_Z28]

The only way these would be advantageous over a high end shock like JRi is for compromise. There is an optimal force per velocity for any given situation, and with a shock dyno and some math you can figure out exactly what to set your shocks at for any given surface. Don't over think it, if you want the best just get JRi.

[UMI Tech]

The only way these would be advantageous over a high end shock like JRi is for compromise. There is an optimal force per velocity for any given situation, and with a shock dyno and some math you can figure out exactly what to set your shocks at for any given surface. Don't over think it, if you want the best just get JRi.

I was just getting ready to ask if anyone considered using Penske dampers or equivalent. Then I took a look at JRi's site. Benny Gordon is the ProCup champ from a few years back and he's still bad-fast. It would be pretty cool to see how a set of those felt on our semi-Pro-Tour LeMans...

[SLO_Z28]

I was just getting ready to ask if anyone considered using Penske dampers or equivalent. Then I took a look at JRi's site. Benny Gordon is the ProCup champ from a few years back and he's still bad-fast. It would be pretty cool to see how a set of those felt on our semi-Pro-Tour LeMans...

It worked well for Detroit Speed and Engineering, they use them on Stacey and Kyle Tuckers' camaros, also guys like Brian Hobaugh and Mike Maier are wicked fast on those shocks.

Odd fact Jeff Ryan the man behind JRi was one of the first 10 employees for Bob Fox back in 1980. The JRi team is comprised of a lot of ex Penske guys.

[UMI Tech]

Oh, forgot to mention, Benny's Predator shop is 30 miles from here (unfortunately closed now). I worked on some articles for Circle Track Magazine about their chassis shop a few years back. And I crew chiefed two Pro Cup cars in a futile attempt to catch him but OMG was he fast.

Benny was one of the first racers around here to "come back from down south" with Big Bar Soft Spring and the associated damper technology.

Those dampers as well as Penske's would be easily adjusted at a Pro Tour event the same way we did at Hooter's. Probably ten minutes from car pulling in until a revalved damper is back on the car.

Looks like a really cool company.

[andrewb70]

Look what I found, this company is currently offering Magnetic Fluid Shocks for all sorts of automotive applications. I'm a little surprised the ridetech guys have not jumped all over this technology.

http://www.magneshock.com/

http://www.magneshock.com/Documents/...ace2-10-11.pdf

The technology is very cool, no doubt about that. It is also $7675.

http://www.magneshock.com/Documents/...RoadRacing.pdf

At our level we would be WAY better off to spend that money on driving school.

Andrew